Handcrafted Fine Jewelry by John S. Brana now available in SoHo, New York

Item New York - 444 Broome St - New York City

Item New York - 444 Broome St - New York City

Item New York, a newly opened boutique on 444 Broome St. between Broadway and Mercer in New York’s upscale SoHo neighborhood is the latest store to carry jewelry styles by San Francisco jewelry designer, John S. Brana.  The cozy store features a minimalistic interior with gunmetal colored walls and dark wood accents and is beautifully stocked with a well-edited selection of one-of-a-kind statement pieces from jewelry to handbags.  The store’s concept is to offer its shoppers that special signature piece that becomes the standout “item” to accentuate their ensemble.  We weren’t surprised Item fell in love with John S. Brana’s Muir Woods earrings and Pacific Heights cocktail rings!

A hand-selected collection of John S. Brana’s copper, patinated, and aluminum earrings are now available to purchase at the SoHo boutique, including various pairs of his well-received “lily pad” earring styles.  Shoppers may choose from John S. Brana’s dramatic, wire-wrapped cocktail rings set with large carat gemstones including smoky quartz, citrine, amethyst, and blue topaz from his Pacific Heights Collection.  And, jewelry connoisseurs will surely spot the most elegant piece of the entire selection, the multi-strand layered gemstone necklace featuring amber, citrine, crystal quartz, gold freshwater pearls, and hammered sterling silver discs from the Barbary Coast Collection of statement jewelry.  This is absolutely the perfect piece for that special someone who will fall in love at first sight.

Item New York
444 Broome St.
New York City, NY 10013
646-221-3472

Fold Formed Corrugated Copper Leaf Earrings

Maroon Copper Patinated 2 inch Lilypad Earrings

Large Carat Citrine 14k Gold Filled Cocktail Ring

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The Gemstone of Success – Citrine

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Ring with Marquise Citrine

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Ring with Marquise Citrine

Known as the “success stone,” pale yellow Citrine, the gemstone for November, suffers from a case of mistaken identity that sometimes keeps gem lovers away from its beauty and benefits.

In nature the color of Citrine, a quartz crystal, ranges from pale yellow to brown. When cut into a gemstone, Citrine is virtually impossible to tell visually from the more valuable Yellow Topaz. This has led unscrupulous dealers to substitute Citrine for Yellow Topaz, much to the chagrin of bilked customers when they discover the truth, usually at resale.

Most commercial-grade Citrine is actually amethyst or smoky quartz that has been heated to active the ferric impurities that give its yellow color. Citrines produced in this way tend to have more of a reddish or orange cast than natural Citrines, which are usually pale yellow. Brazil produces most of the world’s gem-grade citrine. Citrine is one of three traditional birthstones for the month of November.

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant with Checkboard Cut Citrine

14K Gold Filled Wire Wrapped Pendant with Checkboard Cut Citrine

Over the centuries, Citrine acquired a reputation as a “success stone” that promotes prosperity and abundance. It’s sometimes nicknamed “merchant’s stone” because superstitious merchants of times past put Citrine in their cashboxes to bring in money. However, Citrine supposedly also brings about success in unexpected ways. In addition to manifesting abundance, Citrine also promotes generosity, leading those who benefit from its powers to share their wealth with others.

Citrine also is thought to enhance mental clarity, confidence and will power. For these reasons, practitioners of New Age healing arts often recommend Citrine crystals for people who suffer from low self-esteem or even depression. Citrine is though to deflect and dissipate all kinds of negative energies, generating stability in thought and emotion. It’s also believed to reduce self-doubt and self-destructive tendencies, instead fostering happiness and good cheer in those who wear it.

Citrine Bronze Ring

Citrine Bronze Ring

Healers also prescribe Citrines to benefit the digestive system, the endocrine system and the immune system. It’s believed to play a role in eliminating toxins from the body and in overcoming various addictions.

Whether chosen merely for its beauty or for its alleged psychic and physical benefits, sunny Citrine bring a gleam of good cheer to its wearers.

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“Luxurious Gypsy”…Oscar de la Renta launches couture jewelry collection that is definitely not “shy.”

Oscar de la Renta has partnered with long-time family friend Loulou de la Falaise, most recognized for her collaborations with designer Yves Saint Laurent, to release a jewelry collection this fall exclusive to Oscar de la Renta boutiques. According to an article in W Magazine’s June 2008 issue, the collection showcases a “chunky, crafty bohemian look” consisting of necklaces, pendants, earrings and bracelets which shares both designers’ “love of exotic, far-flung inspirations,” Venessa Lau (http://www.wmagazine.com/jewelry/2008/06/de_la_renta). 

Look for dramatic, “showstoppers” incorporating stones of different colors, sizes and textures, such as smoky quartz, citrine and pearl not to mention precious stones from an Indian jeweler including rubies, diamonds and sapphires. Despite price tags ranging from just under $5000 to upwards of $40,000, “the offerings never skew too precious” and maintain the de la Falaise signature look. 

To embody “luxurious gypsy” without breaking the bank, consider jewelry designers channeling similar themes with statement pieces just as bold but significantly more affordable, such as John S. Brana – Distinctive Jewelry, www.johnsbrana.com. Discover this multi-strand beaded necklace featuring eight distinct stones including lemon amber, one of the oldest, rarest, and most valuable ambers in the world, quartz, amethyst and pearl, $1,030. Just as opulent but in a cool monotone is Brana’s fine silver hammered hexagonal link necklace featuring a contrast of off-shaped and spherical faceted aquamarine stones, $800. And nothing captures bohemian style better than a pair of oversized earrings, such as these massive four-inch teardrops in multi-gauge onyx beads wrapped with 14K gold-filled wire, $245. 

Be assured this jewelry trend is growing and worth your investment. Chunky jewelry and bold cuffs defined the Fall 2008 runways of major fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, Lanvin, John Galliano and Yves St. Laurent. Oscar de la Renta’s own Resort 2009 Collection was highlighted on stage with giant floral broaches, disc earrings and multi-hued beaded necklaces. So look to enhance your jewelry collection this season with exotic explorations in color, texture and style, in any budget of “luxurious gypsy.” 

Kerri Ann Frerichs 

Beaded Gemstone Collections by John S. Brana

Hammered Fine Silver Necklace with Aquamarine Lemon Amber - Prehnite - Amethyst Necklace Onyx Tear Drop Wire Wrapped Earrings

 

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Amazonite – A New Addition to the Monterey Collection

Amazonite Hammered Silver Earrings

Aquamarine Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon with Amazonite

Amazonite (sometimes called “Amazon stone”) is a green variety of microcline feldspar. The name is taken from that of the Amazon River, from which certain green stones were formerly obtained, but it is doubtful whether green feldspar occurs in the Amazon area.

Amazonite is a mineral of limited occurrence. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively from the area of Miyask in the Ilmen mountains, 50 miles southwest of Chehabinsk, Russia, where it occurs in granitic rocks. More recently, high-quality crystals have been obtained from Pike’s Peak, Colorado, where it is found associated with smoky quartz, orthoclase, and albite in a coarse granite or pegmatite. Some other localities in the United States yield Amazonite, and it is also found in pegmatite in Madagascar.

Because of its bright green color when polished, Amazonite is sometimes cut and used as a gemstone. For many years, the source of Amazonite’s color was a mystery. Naturally, many people assumed the color was due to copper because copper compounds often have blue and green colors. More recent studies suggest that the blue-green color is due to small quantities of lead and water in the feldspar.

These earrings are made of hammered Fine Silver rings with Amazonite beads on Sterling Silver Chain. The necklace is also made of hammered Fine Silver rings with Aquamarine Italian Mesh Metal Ribbon and Amazonite beads. Both can be found under the Monterey Collection

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The Pacific Heights Collection

Pacific Heights Women's Jewelry Collection

The Pacific Heights Collection is characterized by idyllic elegance. Ornate, bold pieces create a legacy of luxury – certain to be perennial favorites. Flowing, cascading swirls of 14K gold, 14K gold filled, and sterling silver wire create a chic, uptown tempo. Gemstones of citrine, gold quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, blue topaz, and garnets add the final luxurious, breathtaking touch. Matching sets are available in earrings, pins, pendants, and rings.Stay tuned for the launch of John S. Brana due out in mid-August.

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